Faliraki: Yellow Sub Cruise to Anthony Quinn Bay & the Caves

Crystal-clear water, cold beer, and two swim stops make this a strong three-hour outing from Faliraki. I like the underwater cabin, where you can watch fish without putting on a mask, and I like the easy mix of sightseeing, swimming, and an unlimited drinks fridge. The main drawback is that the boat views are best when the water is calm, and the larger vessel cannot pull right up to every beach.

This is a cheerful, easygoing cruise rather than a serious marine expedition. You board from the red steps on the beach, ride out along the Rhodes coast, swim at the Traganou Caves and Anthony Quinn Bay, and return to your beach pickup point. At $51 per person, the beer, soft drinks, water, two swim breaks, and three hours on the sea make the price reasonable, especially for families and groups who want several activities in one outing.

Key points to know before you book

• Two proper swim stops: You get about 25 minutes at Traganou Caves and 40 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay.
• A real underwater viewing room: Large glass panels let you watch fish below the boat, with air conditioning noted as a welcome touch in the Rhodes heat.
• Fish feeding at Anthony Quinn Bay: The crew feeds fish beside the underwater cabin, creating the busiest marine-life viewing of the trip.
• Unlimited drinks included: Beer, water, and soft drinks are available from the onboard fridge.
• Beach boarding matters: You meet the tender boat at the red steps, not at a standard harbor ticket office.
• Best for a relaxed mixed-age outing: Children can swim, adults can enjoy the drinks, and nobody needs advanced snorkeling skills.

Why this Faliraki cruise is worth considering

Rhodes offers plenty of boat excursions, but many ask you to choose between a simple glass-bottom viewing trip and a swim cruise. This one combines both. You get time in the water, plus an air-conditioned cabin with views below sea level.

I like that the cruise lasts three hours. That is long enough to feel like a proper half-day activity, but short enough to fit around a beach afternoon, dinner reservation, or hotel plans. A full-day boat trip can be tiring, especially with young children. This outing keeps the schedule manageable.

The cruise also works well for people who are not confident swimmers. You can enjoy the sea views from the boat and watch fish through the glass cabin, while stronger swimmers head into the water during the stops. Snorkeling equipment was provided on at least some departures, but you should confirm current arrangements when booking rather than assume it is always included.

The atmosphere is casual. Captain Mike receives repeated praise for hospitality, and the crew is described as funny, attentive, and welcoming. That matters here because the drink service and swim-stop organization shape much of the experience. This is not a quiet, formal sightseeing boat. It is a social outing with music, swimming, fish watching, and cold drinks.

Finding the yellow boat from Faliraki beach

Your first practical task is reaching the correct red steps. A tender boat collects you from one of the beach pickup points and takes you to the yellow semi-submarine. You do not simply walk onto the main boat from a normal pier.

The named pickup beaches are:

• Amada Colossos beach at 9:30 AM, 12:30 PM, or 3:30 PM
• Esperides beach at 9:40 AM, 12:40 PM, or 3:40 PM
• Calypso Hotel beach at 9:40 AM, 12:40 PM, or 3:40 PM
• Apollo Hotel beach at 9:55 AM, 12:55 PM, or 3:55 PM
• Faliraki Harbor beach at 9:55 AM, 12:55 PM, or 3:55 PM

The pickup information describes several beach boarding points, so check the exact location attached to your reservation. Look for the red steps on the beach and allow enough time to get there. The tender boat transfer is part of the fun, but it adds one more small step to the start of your morning.

The activity is in English, and the tour provider is Rhodes Sea Lines. The listed duration is three hours. Starting times vary by date, so check availability before building the rest of your day around it.

What the semi-submarine is really like

The yellow boat has an underwater cabin with glass panels. You sit below the main deck and watch the water pass by at eye level. This gives the cruise more character than a standard glass-bottom boat, especially when fish gather close to the windows.

Set your expectations correctly. The cabin is a viewing room, not a large aquarium or a guaranteed wildlife show. Visibility depends on sea conditions, sunlight, and where the boat stops. Still, the fish-feeding session at Anthony Quinn Bay gives you the best chance of seeing plenty of movement in one place.

Several people found the underwater cabin especially entertaining for children. It also helps if someone in your group does not want to swim. One useful detail from the boat experience is the air conditioning inside the cabin, which can make a big difference during a hot Rhodes afternoon.

You will want to split your time between the cabin and the open deck. The cabin gives you the unusual underwater angle, while the deck offers the broadest views of the coast and the clearest way to enjoy the sun and sea air. If you remain below for the whole trip, you miss part of what makes a coastal cruise pleasant.

Traganou Caves: a short swim with a clear purpose

The first scheduled swimming stop is the Traganou Caves, with about 25 minutes in the water. Here, the attraction is not just swimming near the rocks. You can swim inside the cave formations themselves.

That makes this stop feel active and memorable, even though it is the shorter break. The rocks give you something to aim for, and the cave entrance creates a change from the open water. If you have a mask, this is a good place to look around the rock edges, but the main pleasure is swimming into the formations.

Twenty-five minutes passes quickly. You may need to get into the water promptly rather than spend much of the stop arranging belongings or waiting on deck. The trip is not designed for a long, unhurried beach stay. It gives you a taste of the caves before moving along the coast.

People who prefer sandy beaches should know that this stop is about rock formations and open-water swimming. You may find the entry and exit less simple than stepping into shallow water from a beach. Follow the crew’s instructions and use the stop for what it offers: a quick swim inside a striking coastal formation.

Anthony Quinn Bay and the fish-feeding show

Anthony Quinn Bay receives the longer stop, about 40 minutes, and it is the strongest part of the cruise for many people. The bay is known for its clear water, rocky edges, and attractive setting. You get more time here for swimming and snorkeling than at Traganou.

The crew feeds fish near the underwater cabin, turning the viewing session into a small feeding frenzy. This is when the glass panels become most useful. Fish gather around the boat, so even people who stay dry can see plenty of activity below.

If you want the best experience, combine the three options: spend a little time in the underwater room, swim or snorkel during the middle of the stop, then return to the cabin or deck before departure. The 40-minute window gives you enough time to sample each part without rushing as much as you would at the caves.

One practical point is worth noting. A boat of this type may not pull as close to the beach as a small speedboat. That means you get excellent water access, but not necessarily a close-up view of people relaxing on the shore. The bay itself is the attraction, not a beach drop-off.

Anthony Quinn Bay can also be a popular stop, so do not expect private solitude. The cruise gives you a convenient way to see it from the water and swim there without arranging separate transport. That convenience is a major part of the value.

The open bar: useful in the Rhodes heat

Beer, water, and soft drinks are included and available from the onboard fridge. This is not a minor extra. On a sunny three-hour cruise, having cold drinks ready between swims makes the day much easier.

The beer service is especially popular with adults, while families can rely on water and soft drinks. You do not need to budget separately for each drink, and you can cool down after time in the sea without waiting for the boat to return.

Food is not included. Bring your own plan for meals before or after the cruise, and do not treat the open bar as a substitute for lunch. The outing is short enough that this is rarely a major problem, but a snack before boarding may be sensible if you are taking an early departure.

The drinks also help create the relaxed mood. This is the sort of cruise where people gather on deck, chat, watch the shoreline, and head below when the fish appear. If you want a silent nature trip with no social element, this may feel too lively.

Timing, comfort, and who will enjoy it most

The three-hour length suits several types of visitors. Families can manage the schedule without committing to an entire day at sea. Couples and groups of friends get a scenic outing with a built-in swim plan. Solo visitors who enjoy casual group activities can also join without needing to organize a private boat.

The trip is particularly good for:

• Families with children who can handle short swimming sessions
• Adults who value included beer and soft drinks
• People who want an underwater view but are not keen on extended snorkeling
• Visitors staying near Faliraki’s beach hotels
• Anyone looking for a shorter break from a hotel pool or beach day

The timing is less suitable if you want a long snorkeling session. Forty minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay and 25 minutes at the caves are pleasant, but they are not enough for a full day of exploring underwater sites.

It is also not the best match if you dislike boarding from the beach or transferring by tender. The red-step meeting point is simple once you know it, but it is different from showing up at a large harbor and walking onto a boat.

Value at $51 per person

At $51, I would judge this as a package price rather than a boat ticket alone. You are paying for the three-hour cruise, the underwater cabin, two designated swim stops, fish feeding, the tender transfer, and unlimited beer, water, and soft drinks.

The value improves if you would normally buy several drinks during a hot day out. It also improves for families because the cruise gives you sightseeing and swimming in one organized activity. You are not paying separately for a beach transfer, a glass-bottom boat, and a short snorkeling outing.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, do not plan to swim, and mainly want a quiet coastal ride. In that case, a simpler sightseeing cruise might meet your needs for less money. You should also compare the price with direct booking options before paying, since one booking experience was reported as costing noticeably more through an online intermediary than when booked directly at the harbor.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking add useful flexibility. Those terms are helpful when your Rhodes schedule depends on weather or changing beach plans.

Small details that make the day smoother

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel. You will have two water stops, and the schedule works better when you can get ready quickly.

Bring sun protection for the open deck. The underwater cabin has air conditioning, but you will probably want time outside as well. Keep valuables secure while swimming, and listen carefully when the crew announces the return time.

A phone with a waterproof pouch is useful, but do not let photography take over the short swimming breaks. The caves and bay are best enjoyed when you actually get into the water.

If you are coming from the cruise terminal, transport time matters. One person used a taxi for about 20 euros and returned by bus for 5 euros for two people. Those figures come from an individual outing and may change, but they show that the cruise can be reached without staying directly in Faliraki.

The trip has received a 4.8 rating from 249 reviews, with especially strong praise for the crew, swim stops, drinks, and underwater cabin. The most consistent strengths are clear: the staff keep the mood friendly, the two stops feel worthwhile, and the open bar adds real comfort.

Should you book the yellow semi-submarine cruise?

I would book this if you want a friendly, moderately priced boat outing with two swims and plenty of drinks. The combination is hard to beat for a three-hour activity, especially when your group includes both keen swimmers and people who prefer to watch from the boat.

Book it for the Anthony Quinn Bay fish viewing, the chance to swim into the Traganou Caves, and the easy all-in-one format. Skip it if you want a private boat, long snorkeling sessions, a quiet nature trip, or a beach landing right beside the sand.

Check your exact pickup beach, arrive at the red steps on time, and confirm the current snorkeling-equipment arrangements. With those details handled, this is a fun and practical way to see the Rhodes coast without giving up an entire day.

FAQ

How long is the Faliraki yellow semi-submarine cruise?

The cruise lasts three hours.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $51 per person.

What swim stops are included?

The cruise includes a 25-minute stop at the Traganou Caves and a 40-minute stop at Anthony Quinn Bay.

Can you swim inside the Traganou Caves?

Yes. The tour description says you can swim inside the rock formations at the Traganou Caves.

What can you see from the underwater cabin?

You can watch the underwater world through the cabin’s glass panels, including fish gathered near the boat at Anthony Quinn Bay.

Does the crew feed fish?

Yes. The crew feeds fish at Anthony Quinn Bay so you can watch them gather from the underwater cabin.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beer, water, and soft drinks are available from the onboard open bar.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included.

Where do you board the boat?

You meet the tender boat at the red steps on the beach at your selected Faliraki pickup point. Named points include Amada Colossos, Esperides, Calypso Hotel, Apollo Hotel, and Faliraki Harbor beaches.